A MASSIVE Mozambique spitting cobra was recovered safely from a residence in Yellowwood Park on May 10, thanks to a swift rescue by professional snake catcher and nature enthusiast Warren Dick.

Also read: Mozambique spitting cobra caught on chicken farm [Video]

Dick said he was contacted after the snake was sighted by a gardener working on the property. “Fortunately, the snake was contained, where it had felt secure hiding behind some foliage,” he said.

Dick said thankfully the family was against the killing of snakes. “The gardener had killed a harmless herald snake a few month prior which made the home owners very upset, so the gardener knew to rather alert the home owners this time, although the snake was also quite large,” he said.

The rescue was very swift and easy. “It was a fairly easy catch, albeit a large cobra which I first thought may give me a bit of hassle as I was not sure if it had any escape holes that I could not see, but fortunately it didn’t,” said Dick.

He also said it was very lucky the family’s dogs did not come in contact with the snake before he did, as this would have resulted in a dangerous situation for both the cobra and the animals.

The snake was released in a suitable location far from people.

Facts on the Mozambique Spitting Cobra:

These cobras are olive brown to slate gray in colour with a salmon pink and dark barred / blotched neck. The bright colour on the neck is clearly visible if the snake rears up and spreads a hood, however, large individuals are often reluctant to hood up.

The young measure around 25cm when hatched and as adults they average around 1m in length. In Durban, they often grow longer than 1.4m.

These snakes eat anything from rodents to toads, other snakes and even insects.

Like any other snake, the Mozambique spitting cobra is reluctant to bite, but unlike most other snakes it can spray its venom quite far and accurately. The cobra’s first line of defence is to spray its venom.

What to do if there is a snake in your home?

• Do not try to kill the snake.
• Get all people and pets out of the room immediately.
• Shut the door, and fill the gap underneath with a towel, then call a professional snake catcher for assistance.
• Warren can be contacted on 072 211 0353.

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